Amazon WFH Policy

Sounds like you've just got bad staff tbh, maybe as a result of being micromanaged.

I'm a manager with a lot of direct reports and my company has mandated a 50% office attendance policy which to me is a happy enough medium. Trekking into the office for no meetings is a waste of my time so I plan my WFH days accordingly and commute when there's a need to interact in person (even then, most meetings don't need to be face-to-face or could be an email)

I allow my people longer lunches if they want when they WFH, to go collect the kids from school, to have staggered start and finish times, to take a cancellation at the dentist, to get their car serviced, and much more. And in return, their productivity has gone up over the past few years and I have no negative attrition. If people are happy and producing then there's no need for me to micromanage. Everyone wins.

I also get more done at home simply because I'm out of sight, out of mind and don't have people tapping me on the shoulder every ten minutes. Like most things, balance is key and hybrid should be the way forward wherever possible. If you can't trust your people, maybe a review is needed.

While I would like a fully remote job or one that you only pop into the office a few days per month hybrid is indeed a nice medium. I do like keeping my WFH and office days in a row though, not that it’s a big job as you say but it’s nice to get a run in one place and the other. So I have always done Monday and Friday at home.

It really depends on the type of industry you are in. Lower paid workers in a dead end boring job are far more likely to slack off. Higher paid, career driven employees in a satisfying job where there is great career growth potential rarely slack off.

Wouldn't be so sure about that…..

I previously worked for a global medical device company and the type of people promoted weren't career driven.

They were basically bottom kissers, knew who to befriend and knew what committees to be on in order to increase their salary.

Yup, I think a lot of people will say and do different things. The jobs market is also a factor as well, so if it was gang busters like 2/3 years ago, then people can speak with their feet and bail. I am sure some actually have left due to certain circumstances changing, not saying that it doesn't happen, just not as often.

We of course can disagree on how to progress (I was expecting that), I am at the stage in my career to know that all that matters is getting your work done, showing up, and not being a dick. "High performers" etc, who burn the midnight oil and do tasks outside of their JD, they aren't guaranteed a promotion, or safety if the company falls on hard times, that is a myth. So my own advice to young professionals is to do your work with the least amount of effort, foster good relationships in your job, but always put your own needs before that of any company.

Well that's it entirely.

will they bring it back? Who knows. If they need to hire more people in the future, and they are failing to attract the talent they require, then I would wager nothing would be off the table.

The rational given by the CEO makes zero sense,
"Andy Jassy emphasized the benefits of in-person work, such as increased collaboration, innovation and cultural connection."
Thats pure BS, have a look at the amazon share price now compared to 2019, when everyone attended the office 5 days a week. Its all optics and money saving, this means that they don't have to announce and most importantly, pay for redundancies.

https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/4885672-amazon-return-office-controversy/

That is a misguided myth, I am afraid. No one is more or less likely to be promoted or saved if they work beyond what is asked of them. If anything, high performers (which would possibly earn more), would be more likely if anything to be cut in layoffs, bigger salary gone means bigger savings for the company.

Oh dear, that is not what I said :)

but there are ways to make it more likely you will be the one promoted or not the one cut.

People get promoted by doing their work, simple as that. As for your inference that if you work extra hard etc, that you would be less likely to be laid off etc, that is pure fallacy. When it comes to layoffs, it settles on the cost saved, not who works the hardest.

The old Elon/Thanos is quite accurate. They'll just cut down the middle on financial basis. Perhaps the finance dept is duplicated or can be outsourced. Click it's gone top to bottom. R&D too expensive click it's gone.

That's said the whole interview for your job, that's classic. Nothing like it to cull numbers.